aspersion

American  

[uh-spur-zhuhn, -shuhn] / əˈspɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

noun

1. a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander.

   casting aspersions on a campaign rival.

   Synonyms:

   reproach , censure

2. the act of slandering; vilification; calumniation; derogation; defamation.

   Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored.

3. the act of sprinkling, as in baptism.

4. Archaic.  a shower or spray.

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aspersion British  

/ əˈspɜːʃən /

noun

1. a disparaging or malicious remark; slanderous accusation (esp in the phrase cast aspersions ( on ))

2. the act of defaming

3. rare  the act of sprinkling, esp of water in baptism

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Other Word Forms

• nonaspersion noun

Etymology

Origin of aspersion

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin aspersiōn- (stem of aspersiō ) “a sprinkling”; asperse, -ion

Example Sentences

Markets appear not to have cast aspersions on Fed independence, with Fed speakers Williams, Waller and Daly backing a December rate cut.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is probably easier to smirk or cast aspersions at the idea of a love for the ages than it is to accept that you have not met that person in your own life.

From Salon

"While we do not cast aspersions upon individuals, given the nature of Jeffrey Epstein's appalling crimes, we believe the university's leadership should, as a precautionary measure, be suspending its links with known associates of Epstein."

From BBC

And I don’t want to cast any aspersions on anyone involved with that project.

From Los Angeles Times

“We maintain that the evidence does not support the verdict. It is unfortunate that aspersions and misperceptions of a culture were allowed to influence the trial,” attorney Rickey Ivie said in April.

From Los Angeles Times